Circle of Life

03/28/2026

A weighted blanket increased melatonin by 32% before sleep. Not medication. A blanket.

If you've got hypermobility, EDS, or fibromyalgia and you can't sleep, here's something most people never get told. Your brain decides whether it's safe to fall asleep based on the signals coming in from your body. Joint position. Pressure. Temperature. Threat level. In a well-calibrated body, those signals come back clear and the brain downshifts into sleep mode.

In a hypermobile body, those signals are fuzzy. The proprioception is less accurate. The joints are lax. And a brain that can't confirm where everything is doesn't relax. It keeps scanning, keeps checking, stays alert. That's not anxiety. That's a sensory signalling problem.

So what actually works?

Deep pressure input. Weighted blankets, compression socks, firm self-massage before bed. These activate specific sensory receptors that shift the nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance. One study found a weighted blanket boosted melatonin by roughly 32% compared to a light blanket. You're not just getting cosy. You're giving your brain the proprioceptive confirmation it can't generate on its own.

We put together a free guide that goes much deeper into this. Not the usual "turn off your phone and drink chamomile tea" stuff. Actual nervous system strategies for bodies like yours.

Grab it free from the link in our bio or check the comments.

03/17/2026

03/03/2026

03/02/2026

March Openings have arrived!! Take a look at what we have available for the month ahead, and contact us today to schedule!
🌱 Wed 3/4
Zoe - 4:30
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 6:30
🌱Fri 3/5
Dan - 2:30, 5:30, 7:00
🌱Sat 3/7
Rosalind - 2pm
🌱Tues 3/10
Zoe - 9:00, 10:30
🌱Wed 3/11
Megan - 11:00
Zoe - 4:30
Dan - 3:00, 6:00
🌱Thurs 3/12
Megan - 2:00
🌱Fri 3/13
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00
🌱Sat 3/14
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00
🌱Sun 3/15
Rosalind - 3:30
🌱Mon 3/16
Zoe - 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:00
🌱Tues 3/17
Zoe - 9:00, 12:00
Rosalind - 2:00
🌱Wed 3/18
Zoe - 9:00, 10:30, 12:00
Megan - 9:30
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 6:30
🌱Thurs 3/19
Zoe - 8:00, 9:30
🌱Fri 3/20
Megan - 11:00
Zoe - 11:00, 12:30, 2:00
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00
🌱Sat 3/21
Rosalind - 11:00, 12:30, 3:30, 5:00, 6:00
🌱Sun 3/22
Megan - 9:30, 11:00
Rosalind - 12:00, 1:30, 3:00
🌱Mon 3/23
Zoe - 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:00
🌱Tues 3/24
Zoe - 12:00
Rosalind - 2:00
🌱Wed 3/25
Zoe - 9:00, 10:30, 2:30
Megan - 9:30, 11:00, 12:30
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 6:30
🌱Thurs 3/26
Zoe - 8:00, 9:30, 11:00
Megan - 2:00, 3:30, 4:30
🌱Fri 3/27
Zoe - 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:00
Megan - 9:30
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00
🌱Sat 3/28
Dan - 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00
🌱Mon 3/30
Zoe - 9:00, 12:00
🌱Tues 3/31
Zoe - 10:30, 12:00
Rosalind - 2:00, 6:00
Megan - 2:30, 3:30
~
📞 802-440-2513
📧Mountainsidetm@gmail.com
📍Pownal, VT

03/02/2026

According to a double-blind clinical trial published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (2016), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root extract significantly reduced the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms in young women. The study included 100 female university students in Iran who were randomly assigned to receive either 530 mg Valerian capsules or a placebo twice daily during the last seven days of their menstrual cycle for three consecutive cycles. Researchers assessed emotional, physical, and behavioral PMS symptoms using standardized daily symptom questionnaires and analyzed the results with appropriate statistical tests.

The findings showed a significant reduction in overall PMS symptom severity in the Valerian group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001). Emotional symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and depression, physical symptoms including breast tenderness and headaches, and behavioral symptoms like insomnia and fatigue all improved significantly after three months of treatment. The total PMS score in the Valerian group decreased substantially from baseline to the end of the study, while the control group showed no significant changes. The authors concluded that Valerian root extract may be an effective complementary treatment option for managing PMS symptoms.

PMCID: PMC4936757 PMID: 27419099

02/23/2026

02/20/2026

WHAT IF THE MOST POWERFUL "RESET BUTTON" FOR THE HUMAN BRAIN WASN'T A COMPLEX PHARMACEUTICAL, BUT A HUMBLE MINERAL WE'VE BEEN DRASTICALLY DEPLETING FROM OUR SOILS FOR CENTURIES? New research has uncovered a stunning link between specific magnesium levels and the brain's ability to bounce back from major depression in as little as seven days. 🧠✨

For decades, the standard approach to treating the "dark cloud" of depression has centered on shifting serotonin levels through prescription medications that often take weeks or months to show results. However, a growing body of evidence suggests we may have overlooked a fundamental biological prerequisite for mental health: MAGNESIUM. As a mineral responsible for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body, magnesium isn't just a nutrient; it is a CRITICAL CO-FACTOR for the very chemistry of thought and emotion. The real-world relevance of this discovery is immense, as a significant portion of the modern population is estimated to be magnesium deficient due to processed diets and mineral-depleted agricultural land.

To understand how this mineral influences our mood, we have to look at the brain as a high-powered electrical circuit. In the simplified "how it works" of neurobiology, magnesium acts as a MASTER REGULATOR for the brain's "on" and "off" switches.

1. THE NMDA RECEPTOR GATEKEEPER: Think of the NMDA receptors in your brain as a volume k**b for neural activity. When these receptors are too active, the brain becomes "noisy," leading to anxiety and agitation. MAGNESIUM sits inside the receptor like a plug, preventing it from over-firing. When magnesium levels drop, the plug is removed, leading to a state of neural "toxic stress."
2. NEUROTRANSMITTER SYNTHESIS: Magnesium is required to convert amino acids into neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Without it, the brain’s "happiness factory" simply doesn't have the raw materials it needs to function.
3. CORTISOL REGULATION: It helps the body regulate the HPA axis—the system that controls your STRESS HORMONES. By calming the nervous system, it signals to the body that it is safe to shift out of a high-cortisol "fight or flight" mode.

The key results from recent studies are nothing short of transformative for the field of nutritional psychiatry. In one specific trial, researchers found that supplementing participants with 125 TO 300 MILLIGRAMS OF MAGNESIUM with each meal and again at bedtime led to RAPID RECOVERY from symptoms of major depression. In some instances, participants experienced a significant shift in their mental state in LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS. This data is particularly striking because it didn't just target low mood; the participants also reported dramatic improvements in chronic headaches, generalized anxiety, and debilitating insomnia. This human-level research suggests that for some, the root cause of their psychological distress was a literal mineral famine in the brain.

This discovery is profoundly different from current solutions because it addresses an UNDERLYING DEFICIENCY rather than simply managing a symptom. While traditional antidepressants are a life-changing tool for many, they do not provide the body with the minerals it requires for nerve and muscle function. The primary advantage of magnesium is its speed of action and its "side-effect" of improving overall physical health, such as energy production and blood pressure regulation. However, the limitation remains that NOT ALL DEPRESSION is caused by mineral deficiency, and magnesium should be viewed as a biological foundation rather than a guaranteed "cure."

The human impact of this research points toward a future where MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS include comprehensive mineral testing. Imagine a healthcare system where a patient struggling with anxiety or insomnia is first evaluated for their magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D levels before embarking on long-term pharmaceutical paths. This shifts the ethical discussion toward proactive, NUTRIENT-BASED PSYCHIATRY that treats the brain as a biological organ requiring specific fuel. The future possibility of integrating magnesium therapy as a standard adjunct to traditional care could save millions of lives and reduce the global burden of mental illness.

We must maintain a balanced reality check: ALTHOUGH THESE FINDINGS ARE EXCITING, THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL CARE. Depression is a complex, multi-faceted disease, and anyone currently taking medication should never stop or alter their dosage without consulting a physician. The research status is ongoing, and while human trials have shown "rapid recovery" in specific groups, further testing is needed to determine long-term efficacy across broader populations. High doses of magnesium can also interfere with certain medications and cause digestive upset if not managed correctly.

With science increasingly proving that our mental state is directly tied to the minerals found in our soil and diet, how much of the modern mental health crisis do you believe is actually a biological reaction to a nutrient-depleted world?

***

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱? 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀!

02/07/2026

What seems impossible is unfolding in University Med-Tech Hubs where mental health is treated via the gut. Scientists have identified specific "Psychobiotic" strains that produce high levels of serotonin and dopamine directly in the intestine. 90% of trial participants reported a complete remission of depressive symptoms after just 4 weeks of daily ingestion.

These bio-engineered bacteria colonize the gut lining and communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, naturally correcting chemical imbalances. This represents a paradigm shift from treating the brain to treating the microbiome, offering a side-effect-free solution to a global mental health crisis.

02/04/2026

Being cheated on can lead to long-term anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and PTSD because it is a profound psychological trauma often referred to as Post-Infidelity Stress Disorder (PISD). Infidelity shatters a person’s sense of trust, emotional safety, and self-worth. This betrayal activates a prolonged fight-or-flight response, producing hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and neurochemical changes similar to those seen in addiction withdrawal.
🗂️ Why these symptoms develop:
📑 PTSD (Post Infidelity Stress Disorder): Discovering an affair can function as a traumatic event. Many individuals experience flashbacks, nightmares, emotional volatility, and intense distress resembling classic PTSD symptoms.
📑 Chronic anxiety and hypervigilance: The loss of trust forces the brain into constant threat detection, leading to compulsive monitoring behaviors and persistent anxiety.
📑 Insomnia and sleep disturbance: Repetitive rumination and emotional shock prevent the nervous system from fully resting, disrupting normal sleep patterns.
📑 Chronic pain and physical effects: Ongoing emotional stress raises cortisol levels, contributing to muscle tension, headaches, and widespread body pain.
📑 Biological disruption: Infidelity alters attachment and reward pathways in the brain, lowering dopamine and oxytocin and creating withdrawal like emotional symptoms.

02/04/2026

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that helps the body reduce oxidative stress by boosting levels of glutathione, one of the body’s main natural defenses against inflammation. In a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, researchers evaluated NAC in women with ovarian endometriosis.

The study followed 120 women who took NAC 600 mg three times daily for 3 consecutive days each week over a 3-month period. Results showed significant reductions in endometriosis-related pain, ovarian endometrioma (cyst) size, and CA-125 inflammation levels, along with reduced use of pain medications. Among women attempting pregnancy, 75% conceived naturally within 6 months. The treatment was well tolerated, with no reported side effects.

PMID: 36981595

02/03/2026

Recent research is finally bridging the historical “gender gap” in medicine, uncovering that the female body operates with unique biological mechanisms rather than just being a variation of the male norm.

1. The “Xist” Breakthrough in Autoimmunity:

🗂️Scientists have long known that roughly 80% of autoimmune disease patients are women, but they didn’t know why. A 2024 landmark study found that Xist, a molecule only produced in female cells to manage X chromosomes, forms “oddball” protein complexes that can trigger a massive immune attack. This discovery provides a concrete biological target for new diagnostic tests and therapies.

2. The Brain-Cycle Connection: New neuroscience research shows that the menstrual cycle “dramatically reshapes” the brain every month.

🗂️Structural Changes: Hormonal fluctuations affect brain regions governing memory, emotion, and behavior.

🗂️Alzheimer’s Risk: Menopause is now viewed as a “critical window” for brain aging, with new initiatives like the CARE Initiative investigating why women are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s.

3. Redefining Heart Health & Menopause

🗂️Invisible Symptoms: Research confirms that women often experience heart attacks without chest pain, instead feeling nausea or shortness of breath, which frequently leads to misdiagnosis.

🗂️Hormone Therapy: In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed long-standing “black box” warnings on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), acknowledging that previous fears were often based on misunderstood data.

🗂️New Tools: The first “cellular atlas” of the human o***y was mapped in 2024, allowing doctors to understand reproductive aging at a single-cell level for the first time.

Continued in comments.